Bed frame assembly



Nov. 3, 1970 F. J. Mis

BED FRAME. ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 1, 1968 In ve nr I T52/nM f @Z55/ff NOV. 3, 1970 F, J. MIS

BED FRAME ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Filed July 1. 1968 f 1206172107[T5/ann JZS' Cif??? s.

Nov. 3, 1970 F. J. MIS 3,537,114

BED FRAME ASSEMBLY Filed July 1, 1968 s sheets-sheet s United StatesPatent Oce 3,537,114 Patented Nov. 3, 1970 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Abed frame assembly of the knockdown type including a pair of spacedparallel L-shaped side frame members and at least one perpendicularlyextending L-shaped cross frame member detachably secured to said sideframe members. Slidably interengaging male and female elements areprovided on the side and cross frame members for detachably securingthem to one another, and the male and female members have acorresponding taper, so that they are wedged into interlockingengagement with one another by the reaction force of floorengagingabutments carried on the cross frame member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Knockdown bed frame assemblies of theso-called Hollywood type are well known to those skilled in the art.Such structures have conventionally included a plurality of generallyL-shaped side and cross frame members detachably secured to one anotherfor supporting the mattress and box spring unit between a foot board andhead board. While such structures have met with wide commercialacceptance, the means that have been used in the past to detachablysecure the various elements to one another have not been entirelysatisfactory, in that the securing means have either been time-consumingand difficult to assemble and disassemble, or they have not provided apositive interlocking mode of engagement between the side frame membersand the cross frame members.

SUMMARY The structure of the present invention obviates the problemsnoted above by providing a fastenerless connection between the crossframe members and the side frame members of a bed frame assembly,including a male element on one of the frame members and a femaleelement on the other of the frame members, with the male element beingslidably insertable in the female element to detachably interlock thecross frame members to the side frame members. The male and femaleelements have corresopnding tapers, and a floor-engaging abutment in theform of a caster is associated with the cross frame member, so thatforces imparted to the bed frame assembly through the mattress and thebox spring units will serve to wedge the male and female elements intopositive interlocking engagement with one another. In the preferredarrangement of the invention, the female elements are mounted upon theside frame members, and are defined by a plate having a planar centralportion with inclined llanges at opposite sides of the central portionextending inwardly toward one another to define an upwardly narrowingtapered passageway. The male elements are preferably associated with thecross frame members, and are formed of a pair of distinct plate memberssecured to one another and to the cross frame member. The plate membersof the male element include planar portions positioned in face-opposedrelationship with respect to one another, and an outwardly inclinedflange is provided on each plate, with the flanges on the male elementcooperating to collectively define a tapered insert that is slidablyinsertable within the passage in the female element. The face abuttingplanar portions of the male element also include confronting portionsthat collectively define a passageway for slidably receiv- 1ng the stemportion of a caster assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective of a firstembodiment of the bed frame assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the firstembodiment of the bed frame assembly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional View taken generally along line 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional View taken generally along line 5 5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the male and female elementsof the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a second embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line 8 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a third embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken generally along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;and

FIG. 1l is a top perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings indetail, the bed frame assembly is indicated in its entirety at 10` inFIG. l, and the bed frame assembly 10 includes a pair of spaced parallelside frame members 12 spanned by at least two perpendicularly extendingcross frame Amembers 26. As is conventional, side frame members 12 areL-shaped metal channels, and the side frame members in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6 are arranged with flanges 1-4 horizontally disposed andextending toward one another, and with flanges 16 extending downwardlyfrom flanges 14 at the outer edge thereof. The upper surface of flanges14 are disposed in a common plane, so as to provide a supporting surfacefor a box spring unit, and box spring confining means 18 are provided ata plurality of spaced locations along side frame members 12.

The box spring confining means 18 includes a plate having a verticallydisposed mounting portion 20 riveted, or otherwise suitably secured tothe outer surface of the vertical flange 16 of the side frame members.The box spring confining plates further include a horizontally disposedportion 22 positioned substantially in the plane of side frame memberflange 14 so as to support the outer edge of the box spring unit. Thebox spring confining plates further include a vertically extendingportion 24 that extends albove the upper surface of side frame flanges14 so as to embrace, and provide lateral support for, the box springunit.

The cross frame members 26 are also conventional L- shaped metalchannels, and are arranged with a first flange 28, horizontallydisposed, and a second flange 30, vertically dispos-ed. As is evidentfrom FIG. 3, the outer end of the cross frame member 26 illustratedtherein is spaced from the -vertical flange 16 on side frame member 12,and the end of the cross frame member 26 is detachably secured to theside frame member 12 by interlocking securement means 32. The outermostportions of the flange 28 of cross member 26 are preferably positionedin faceabutting engagement with the undersurface of the horizontallydisposed flanges 14 of side frame members 12.

Interlocking means 32 includes a female element 34, best seen in FIG. 6.Female element 34 is formed of a sheet metal plate and includes a planarcentral portion 36 having upwardly lconverging side edges 38. Flanges 40are fbent inwardly from the edges 38 of planar portion 36, with theanges 40 being disposed at an angle to the planar portion 36 tocollectively define a tapered passageway therebetween. Planar portion 36is provided with a pair of spaced holes 42 that are registerable withcorresponding holes in side member flange 16 and retaining plate portion20, so that common fasteners 44, such as rivets, can be employed tosecure these members together. A locating ange 46 extendsperpendicularly outwardly from the upper end of planar portion 36 and isadapted to be positioned in face-abutting engagement with the lowersurface of the flange 14 of the side frame member 12, it beingunderstood that the upper end of the planar portion 36 is positioned inface-abutting engagement with the ange 1 on side frame member 12.

'I'he male element 48 will also be best seen from FIG. 6, and asillustrated therein, the male element 48 is comprised of a pair ofIgenerally identical mirror image memlbers 50. Members 50 are sheetmetal plates like female element 34 and each member 50 includes agenerally planar, somewhat rectangularly shaped mounting portion 52. Aplurality of openings S4 are provided in the mounting portions 52, landthe uppermost openings 54 are registerable with a pair `of correspondingopenings in cross member dlange 30 for reception of common fasteners S6,such as rivets. Rivets S6 also extend through the lower openings 54 inthe plate portions 52 to secure them in faceabutting engagement with oneanother.

Plates 50 are bent outwardly about a vertical fold line I58, which maybe recessed as at 60 to facilitate folding. The bent portion is againfolded at an angle at a further fold line 62 to deiine a tapered webportion 64 disposed perpendictularly with respect to planar portion 52,with the web portion 64 converging upwardly. The plates are `furtherfolded to provide a iirst inclined flange portion 66 and a secondinclined portion 68, with inclined portions 68 being inclined at thesame angle as ange portions 40 on female element 34. As can be best seenin FIG. 4, when the plates 50 are secured to one another, a generallyWshaped insert is provided which is slidably'positionable Within thepassage in the female element `34 between flanges 40. t

The facing surfaces of male element plate portions 52 are provided withvertically spaced recesses 70y (FIG. 6) at the lower end thereof, and afurther slightly larger recess 72 is provided between recesses 70. Whenthe plates 50 are secured together, the recesses 70 and 72 cooperate tocollectively dene a downwardly open passageway for reception of a casterassembly 74. A retaining ring 76 is preferably provided in the alignedrecess portions 72, and an enlargement 78 on a stem 80 extendingupwardly from the caster assembly 74 is slidably positionable over thesleeve 76 to releasably retain the caster assembly 74 in the passagewayof the male element.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the caster assembly 74provides a Hoor-engaging abutment, so that the weight of the mattressand box spring unit, and the weight of an individual lying upon the bed,will cause the male element 48 to be positively interlocked with thefemale element 34 by forcing them into positive wedging engagement withone another.

Turning now to the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8, the structureillustrated therein is similar to the previously described embodiment,so that similar reference numerals have been used to designatecorresponding elements, and have been increased by the sum one hundred.The embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a pair of spaced, parallel sideframe members 112, only one of which is illustrated, and the side framemembers 112 are positioned with the horizontal flanges 114 extendingtoward one another and the vertical anges 116 extending upwardly at theouter side of the flanges 114. It will -be appreciated that thehorizontal flanges 114 are disposed in a common plane so as toincorporate in forming a box spring-supporting surface, while theupright anges 116 cooperate to 75 form a box spring-coniining means.Generally, L-shaped brackets 118 are secured to each side frame member112, and each bracket 118 includes a horizontal ilange 120 that isriveted, or otherwise suitably secured, to the horizontal ange 114 ofthe side frame member. Brackets 118 further include a downwardlyextending ange 122 that is secured, as by rivets 144, to the planarportion 136 of female element 134. The female element 134 is identicalwith that described in the preceding embodiment, and the male element148 that cooperates with the female element 134 is also identical tothat described above. As can Abe seen in FIG. 6, the plate portions 150of the male element 148 are secured to the vertically disposed ange ofL-shaped cross member 126.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, a further embodiment of the invention isillustrated which is similar to the previously described embodiments, sothat similar reference numerals have been used to designatecorresponding elements, with the reference characters in the embodimentof FIGS. 9-11 being in the two hundred series. As in the previousembodiments, a pair of spaced parallel side frame members 212, one of-which is shown in FIGS. 9-11, is spanned by at least a pair ofperpendicularly extending cross frame members 226, one of which is shownin FIGS. 9-11. Side frame members 212 are generally L-shaped in crosssection Aand include a vertically disposed flange 216, and an outwardlyextending horizontal flange 214 at the upper end of vertical iiange 216.Cross members 226 include a horizontally disposed flange 228 that ispositioned in substantially the same plane as the flanges 21-4 of theside frame members to define therewith a box spring supporting surface.As in the previous embodiments, the male member 248 has its plateportions 250 secured to the vertical flange 230 of cross member 226. Themale member 248 and the female member 234 are identical with thosedescribed in the previous embodiments. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9-11,the planar portion 236 of female element 234 is secured directly to thevertical flange 216 of the cross frame member by rivets 244, and it willbe appreciated with the arrangement of FIGS. 9-11, la separate mountingbracket, such as 118 in FIGS. 7 and 8, is eliminated.

Thus, while preferred construction features of the invention areembodied in the structure illustrated herein, it is to be understoodthat changes and variations may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bed frame comprising: a pair of spaced parallel side frame members,each having a coplanar portion de'- iining a iirst surface; a pair oflongitudinally spaced cross frame members extending perpendicularlybetween said side frame members, said cross frame members each having acoplanar portion defining a second surface; one of said surfaces beingvertically spaced from the other surface to form a support for a boxspring and mattress; means for supporting said frame including floorengaging abutments extending downwardly from the frame members thatdefine the other of said surfaces; and means detachably securing eachend of said cross frame members to one of said side frame members, saidsecuring means being defined solely by slidably interengagingcomplementarily tapered male and female elements, each female elementincluding means confining its respective male element for verticalmovement relative thereto, one element being on one of the frame membersthat define said one surface and the other element being on one of theframe members that define said other surface, said latter elementcarrying a oor engaging abutment, each element on said cross framemembers extending outwardly from one end thereof into position for freesliding engagement with an element on one of said side frame members,whereby said cross frame members are mounted for limited verticalmovement relative to said side frame members so that said elements arewedged into interlocking relationship with one another by forces appliedto said one surface by said box spring 4and mattress and the reactionforce of said abutments against the oor.

2. A bed frame as set forth in claim 1 in which the other element ofeach securing means is defined by two distinct plates having confrontingportions collectively defining a downwardly open passage for receptionof one end of a floor engaging abutment.

3. A bed frame as set forth in claim 1 in which each female element hasa generally tapered planar central portion with inclined flanges atopposite sides thereof, said flanges having portions extending towardone another and defining a gradually tapered passageway, and whereineach male element has inclined outwardly extending flanges at oppositesides thereof defining a tapered insert slidably positionable in saidpassageway.

4. A bed frame as set forth in claim 1 wherein each floor engagingabutment is separate from said element on said cross member and extendstherebelow.

5. A bed frame as set forth in claim 4 wherein each floor engagingabutment is a caster releasably carried by said element on said crossmember.

6. A bed frame as set forth in claim 1 wherein said side frame membersare L-shaped with one flange horizontally disposed 'and the other flangevertically disposed, said horizontal flanges extending toward oneanother and the upper surfaces thereof providing said box spring andmattress support, each vertical flange extending downwardly from theouter edge of its respective horizontal flange, said elements on saidside frame members being mounted on the inner surface of a verticalflange.

7. A bed frame as set forth in claim 6 including means, secured to theouter surface of said vertical flanges and extending above the uppersurface of said horizontal flanges, for retaining a box spring.

8. A bed frame as set forth in claim 1 wherein said side frame membersare L-shaped with one flange horizontally disposed and the other flangevertically disposed, said horizontal flanges extending toward oneanother and defining said support for said box spring and mattress, eachvertical flange extending upwardly from the outer edge of its respectivehorizontal flange to define box spring confining means.

9. A bed frame as set forth in claim 8 wherein the elements on said sideframe member are mounted on the lower surface of a horizontal flange.

10. A bed frame as set forth in claim 1 wherein said side frames membersare L-shaped with one flange horizontally disposed and the other flangevertically disposed, said horizontal flanges extending away from oneanother and defining said support for said box spring and mattress, eachvertical flange extending downwardly from the inner edge of itsrespective horizontal flange, said elements on said side frame memberbeing mounted on the inner surface of a vertical flange.

11. A bed frame as set forth in claim 1 wherein each cross member isL-shaped with one flange horizontally disposed and one flange verticallydisposed, said elements on said cross member being secured to saidvertical flange.

12. A bed frame as set forth in claim 1 in which said male and femaleelements are separate and distinct from said frame members, and whereinmeans is provided for securing said elements to said frame members.

13. A bed frame as set forth in claim 1 in which said one surface is onsaid side frame members and said other surface is on said cross framemembers.

14. A bed frame as set forth in claim 1 wherein said female elements areon said side frame members and said male elements are on said crossframe members.

15. A bed frame as set forth in claim 14 wherein said female elementsopen downwardly so that said male elements are inserted from the bottom.

16. A bed frame as set forth in claim 3 wherein each male elementincludes a planar central portion in engagement with the central portionof a female element.

17. A bed frame adapted to support a box spring and mattress comprising:a pair of spaced, parallel side frame members; at least one cross framemember extending perpendicularly between said side frame members, saidcross frame member being L-shaped with one flange horizontally disposedand one flange vertically disposed; means detach-ably securing at leastone end of said cross frame member to one of said side frame members,said means including slidably interengaging male and female elements,one element being secured to the vertical flange of said cross framemember and the other element being on said one side frame member, saidfemale element having a generally planar central portion with inclinedflanges at opposite sides thereof extending toward one another anddefining a gradually tapered passageway, said male element havinginclined outwardly extending flanges at opposite sides thereof defininga complementarily tapered insert slidably positionable in saidpassageway to releasably interlock said elements with one another, saidone element being formed of two distinct plates secured to one anotherand to said vertical flange, said plates having confronting portionscollectively defining a downwardly open passage; 'and a floor engagingabutment having a stem at the upper end thereof removably positionablein said passageway, whereby said male and female elements are wedgedinto interlocking engagement with each other by forces applied to saidside frame members through said box spring and mattress.

18. A bed frame as set forth in claim 17 wherein said floor engagingabutment is defined by a caster assembly having a wheel at the lower endthereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,648,073 8/ 1953 Nowell 5-2013,031,782 5/ 1962 Fyre 248-224 1,099,764 6/ 1914 Polansky 5-3002,203,780 6/ 1940 Gatz 5-300 2,793,407 5 1957 Johnston 5-300 FOREIGNPATENTS 22,102 1/ 1914 Great Britain.

130,911 8/ 1919 Great Britain.

189,948 12/ 1922 Great Britain.

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner

